"Poverty, Not Race, Holds Back Urban Students"

There is much debate concerning the root causes for illiteracy. In the article "Poverty, Not Race, Holds Back Urban Students", authors Bainbridge and Lasley argue that environmental factors are the root cause for illiteracy. The article argues that many researchers attribute illiteracy to race, but their findings are incorrect. Due to the history of various minorities in America; many minorities start at a disadvantage. Those living in poverty don't have full access to the programs and materials that are needed at an early age to start the foundation for a concrete, stable literacy foundation. Often times in poor families the parents or adult models are so consumed with providing for the family they don't have the time to devote to their children when it comes to education. The authors make the following statement: "Preschoolers living in poverty must have access to educational opportunities that develop literacy, particularly at an age when so much brain development occurs. this means seeking more money for schools" (2).

As a result of this many communities have begun to develop literacy programs such as Head Start in order to try to bridge the literacy gap that occurs within low income areas.



Something that often comes up during educational discourses is the term self fulfilling prophecy. In teacher education we are taught to be care not to impose our biases and personal thoughts onto the students. Traditionally, minorities have often been told they are more academically disadvantaged than their White peers. If they aren't specifically told this they look at things such as the enrollment in honors courses or hear statements such as "stop talking white". I speak from personal experience. As a result of being taught standard English and been held accountable for using it constantly, I was often picked on for "talking white". I would often ask why speaking standard English is equated with a particular race and more specifically not associated with the way an African America can and should speak? I believe this debate can go on forever.
If I go back to my original statement I feel as well as other scholars feel that part of the problem is the self fulfilling prophecy. As a result of minorities being told in one way or another that they are traditionally more academically disadvantaged than their White peers, they enter the classroom with this in mind and perform accordingly. They believe that because of their family history, environment, and/or where they come from they aren't fully able to break the barrier and perform at high literacy capabilities. Where do student's really get their ideas about education and their capabilities from? Do people really believe that their continues to be inequality in education?